Check the Wildlife Checkoff

We all know tax time is a pain.

But for Georgians, at least filing their state income taxes offers a unique opportunity to give native wildlife a leg - or wing, root, scale or fin - up. And unlike other things involving taxes, the Georgia Wildlife Conservation Fund checkoff is easy-peasy.

All you do is:

• Find the wildlife checkoff at line 10 on Form 500EZ or line 31 of Form 500. State income tax forms and e-filing details are available online.
• Fill in a donation: Any amount helps.
• Relax in knowing that your contribution will help conserve native wildlife not legally hunted or fished for - everything from bald eagles to gopher tortoises - plus rare plants and the wildlands these plants and animals need.

DNR's Wildlife Conservation Section leads this work and depends on grants, donations and contributions. The Give Wildlife a Chance checkoff has been a key source of support since state lawmakers created it and what's officially called the Nongame Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Acquisition Fund some 35 years ago.

The checkoff made up 9 percent of revenue in the last fiscal year. For more on what your giving goes to, see Conserving Georgia's Wildlife in 2024.

Top: Nesting anhinga and a defensive wood stork at Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge near Townsend (Jimmy Cash/Georgia Nature Photographers Association)